Former Haiti President Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier has died of a heart attack in the capital Port-au-Prince at the age of 63, official sources say. Jean-Claude Duvalier was just 19 when in 1971 he inherited the title of “president-for-life” from his father, the notorious Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier. Baby Doc was accused of corruption, human… Continue reading Baby Doc dead: Former Haiti President Jean-Claude Duvalier dies of heart attack at 63
Year: 2014
Peter Kassig’s parents in video appeal to ISIS
The parents of American hostage Peter Kassig have appealed to Islamic State (ISIS) militants to “show mercy” and release him. In a video statement, Ed and Paula Kassig said they were proud of their son and the aid work he had done. The statement follows the release of a video by the militant group on… Continue reading Peter Kassig’s parents in video appeal to ISIS
First picture of womb-transplant baby released
The first picture of first baby to be born from a transplanted womb has been made public by his parents. The baby boy’s birth took place in Sweden after surgeons at the University of Gothenburg performed the pioneering transplant procedure. He was delivered by caesarean section in the 31st week of pregnancy and weighed 3.9… Continue reading First picture of womb-transplant baby released
North Korea and South Korea agree to resume formal high-level talks
North Korea and South Korea have agreed to resume formal high-level talks, the South Korean media reported. The talks between the two countries had been suspended since February 2014. The agreement came during a surprise visit to South Korea by North Korean officials for the closing ceremony of the Asian Games in Incheon. The visit… Continue reading North Korea and South Korea agree to resume formal high-level talks
US unemployment rate falls to its lowest level in six years in September 2014
The US unemployment rate fell from 6.1% in August 2014 to 5.9% in September 2014, official figures have shown. The rate is the lowest recorded since July 2008. US Labor Department also said that employers added 248,000 jobs last month, and the job growth figures for August and July were revised upwards. The jobs figures… Continue reading US unemployment rate falls to its lowest level in six years in September 2014
Sherlock Holmes silent movie featuring William Gillette found in French film archive
A 1916 silent Sherlock Holmes movie featuring the only screen performance by William Gillette has been found in the French film archive. The film, thought lost forever, had been wrongly catalogued decades ago by staff at the Cinematique Francaise. William Gillette made his name as Sherlock Holmes mainly on stage, bringing his trademark deerstalker and… Continue reading Sherlock Holmes silent movie featuring William Gillette found in French film archive
Pakistan polio cases hit record high in 14 years
Polio cases in Pakistan have hit the highest number in 14 years, with health officials blaming the rise on attacks on immunization teams. The number of new cases so far in 2014 is 202, already exceeding the previous the high of 199 cases in 2001. Most of the infections are in the north-western tribal region… Continue reading Pakistan polio cases hit record high in 14 years
Ebola in US: Thomas Eric Duncan’s family moved out of Dallas flat
The occupants of the Dallas flat where Thomas Eric Duncan lay sick for days with Ebola have been moved from their home. Thomas Eric Duncan, who caught the virus in his native Liberia, is now in a serious condition in hospital. This is the only Ebola case recorded so far in the US. The flat… Continue reading Ebola in US: Thomas Eric Duncan’s family moved out of Dallas flat
Asian Games 2014: Senior North Korean officials arrive in South Korea for closing ceremony
A delegation of three senior North Korean officials arrived in South Korea for the closing ceremony of this year’s Asian Games. The North Korean visit in South Korea is seen as a rare opportunity for high-level talks. The North Korean team is led by Hwang Pyong-so, who is considered to be the second most important… Continue reading Asian Games 2014: Senior North Korean officials arrive in South Korea for closing ceremony
World’s first womb-transplant baby born in Sweden
A Swedish woman with a transplanted womb has given birth to a baby boy, in a medical first, doctors reported. The 36 year-old mother, who was born without a uterus, received a donated womb from a friend in her 60s. According to the medical journal The Lancet, the baby was born prematurely in September weighing… Continue reading World’s first womb-transplant baby born in Sweden
Alan Henning killed by ISIS militants
Islamic State (ISIS) militants have released a video purporting to show the killing of British hostage Alan Henning. Taxi driver Alan Henning, 47, was delivering aid to Syria in December when he was kidnapped then held hostage by ISIS. ISIS had threatened to kill Alan Henning in a video showing the killing of Briton David… Continue reading Alan Henning killed by ISIS militants
Origins of AIDS pandemic traced to 1920’s in Kinshasa
According to an international team of scientists said, the origin of the AIDS pandemic has been traced to the 1920s in the city of Kinshasa, in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. They say a “perfect storm” of population growth, s** and railways allowed HIV to spread. A feat of viral archaeology was… Continue reading Origins of AIDS pandemic traced to 1920’s in Kinshasa
Sweden to become first long-term EU member to recognize state of Palestine
Sweden’s PM Stefan Lofven has announced that his country will become the first long-term EU member country to recognize the state of Palestine. Stefan Lofven said: “The conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be solved with a two-state solution.” It should be “negotiated in accordance with international law”, he said. Sweden last month voted… Continue reading Sweden to become first long-term EU member to recognize state of Palestine
John Cantlie’s father appeals for British hostage release
In a recent video, John Cantlie’s father, Paul Cantlie, has appealed for the British hostage release. Journalist John Cantlie, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012 and is being held by Islamic State (ISIS) militants, has so far appeared in three videos. From hospital, Paul Cantlie said he felt “great relief” seeing his son for… Continue reading John Cantlie’s father appeals for British hostage release
Lionel Messi faces trial for tax evasion in Spain
Soccer star Lionel Messi is to face trial for alleged tax evasion, a Spanish judge has ruled. The judge rejected a prosecution recommendation to drop the charges on the grounds the player’s father was responsible for his finances. Lionel Messi and his father Jorge are accused of defrauding the authorities of more than 4 million… Continue reading Lionel Messi faces trial for tax evasion in Spain
Early HIV treatment is not a cure
Doctors treating a HIV-infected baby in Milan, Italy, say that giving drugs within hours of infection is not a cure. The newborn infant cleared the virus from their bloodstream, but HIV re-emerged soon after antiretroviral treatment stopped. Doctors had hoped rapid treatment would might prevent HIV becoming established in the body. Experts said there was… Continue reading Early HIV treatment is not a cure
Hong Kong protesters agree to talks with government
Hong Kong protesters have accepted an offer of talks with the government after a week of unrest. Chief Executive CY Leung Leung offered the talks with his deputy late on Thursday, October 2, but rejected calls to resign. The protesters, angry at China’s plan to vet election candidates, have been occupying parts of the city… Continue reading Hong Kong protesters agree to talks with government
Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher: Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis reveal baby name
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have welcomed a baby girl, Wyatt Isabelle, their first child together. Ashton Kutcher revealed the baby’s name via Facebook. Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher was born on Tuesday, September 30, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ashton Kutcher, 36, wrote: “Mila and I would like to welcome Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher to… Continue reading Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher: Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis reveal baby name
Ebola outbreak: NBC cameraman tests positive for virus in Liberia
An American cameraman working in Liberia has tested positive for Ebola. The 33-year-old freelancer is to be flown home to the US for treatment. The unnamed cameraman has been working in Liberia for three years for a number of media outlets, most recently NBC News. More than 3,330 people have died in four West African… Continue reading Ebola outbreak: NBC cameraman tests positive for virus in Liberia
Lindsay Lohan forgets lines during stage debut in Speed The Plow
Troubled star Lindsay Lohan has made her stage debut in West End play Speed-the-Plow, although her performance did not go entirely smoothly. Lindsay Lohan, 28, forgot her lines once during the second act of the play but she was helped by a prompt. The actress plays the role of secretary Karen in David Mamet’s Hollywood… Continue reading Lindsay Lohan forgets lines during stage debut in Speed The Plow
So Se Pyong: North Korea ready to resume six-party talks on its nuclear program
North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, So Se Pyong, says his country is not planning any missile or nuclear tests. In a recent interview with Reuters news agency, So Se Pyong was also saying that North Korea was ready to resume six-party talks on its nuclear program. North Korea has been conducting… Continue reading So Se Pyong: North Korea ready to resume six-party talks on its nuclear program
Thomas Eric Duncan: Dallas Ebola patient to be prosecuted in Liberia
Liberia will prosecute Thomas Eric Duncan, the first man diagnosed with Ebola in the US, accusing him of lying over his contact with an infected relative. When he left the country last month, Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan filled in a questionnaire saying that none of his relatives were sick. However, Liberia’s assistant health minister… Continue reading Thomas Eric Duncan: Dallas Ebola patient to be prosecuted in Liberia
CJ Spillman under investigation for assault
Dallas Cowboys defensive back CJ Spillman is being investigated over an alleged assault, police say. CJ Spillman, 28, has not been arrested or charged. The attack allegedly took place at a Texas hotel in the early hours of September 20, according to Grapevine police spokesman, Sgt. Robert Eberling. The case adds to a recent spate… Continue reading CJ Spillman under investigation for assault
Liv Tyler pregnant with second baby
Liv Tyler is expecting baby No 2. Liv Tyler, who already has son Milo, 9, with ex-husband Royston Langdon, will welcome her first child with British boyfriend Dave Gardner next year. Dave Gardner already has son Grey, 7, with ex-wife Davinia Taylor. A spokesperson for Liv Tyler, 37, confirmed the news to UsMagazine.com. Liv Tyler… Continue reading Liv Tyler pregnant with second baby
Amal Alamuddin quit smoking after she started dating George Clooney
Amal Alamuddin reportedly quit smoking after she started dating George Clooney. Amal Alamuddin’s decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle comes as no surprise, as George previously admitted he is “a big non-smoker”. While promoting Good Night, and Good Luck in 2005, George Clooney told Interview magazine: “My grandparents back in Kentucky owned a tobacco farm.… Continue reading Amal Alamuddin quit smoking after she started dating George Clooney